Tesoro works to resolve compressor malfunction at California refinery

The hydrotreater, which removes impurities from feedstock for the FCC, was one of several units shut for planned work that began earlier this month, said the person, Maintenance on the unit, initially expected to be finished by November 28, was extended because of the compressor work.

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By LYNN DOAN

SAN ANTONIO (Bloomberg) -- Tesoro
Corporations Carson plant, part of Californias
largest refining complex, is expected to
keep a hydrotreater shut until next week as it resolves a
compressor malfunction, a person familiar with operations
said.

The hydrotreater, which removes impurities from feedstock for the fluid catalytic
cracker, was one of several units shut for planned work that
began earlier this month, said the person, who asked not to be
identified because the information isnt public. Maintenance on the unit, initially
expected to be finished by November 28, was extended because of
the compressor work, the person said.

Tina Barbee, a spokeswoman at Tesoros headquarters in
San Antonio, declined by e-mail to comment. She said earlier
that the refinery is performing planned
maintenance activities.

Tesoro bought the 266,000 bpd Carson plant from BP in June
and has been integrating the site with its 97,000 bpd
Wilmington refinery. The Carson section
includes the biggest fluid catalytic cracker in California, two
cokers and distillate hydrocracking, according to a June 3
statement from BP.

A reformer, which processes desulfurized feedstock into high-octane gasoline
blending components, is expected to return to service at Carson
after maintenance, said the person
familiar with operations. Other equipment that was shut for the
turnaround, including a sulfur unit, has been restarted, the
person said.

The Carson section runs crudes from Alaskas North
Slope, the Middle East and West Africa, according to BP.

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